NEW ZEALAND LABOUR LAWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11716, 26 July 1901, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND LABOUR LAWS.

CONCILIATION AND ARBITRATION. JUDGE ■ BACKHOUSE'S REPORT. ; By Telegraph.—Press Association.— . Sydney, July 25. The report of Judge Backhouse concerning the inquiries he made in New Zealand as to the working of compulsory arbitration in New Zealand has been tabled in the Assembly. He says that the Act has prevented strikes of any magnitude, and has, on the whole, brought about better relations between employers and employees than would exist if there were no Act. It ; has enabled the men to procure an increase of wages and other conditions in favour of the workmen, which under the circumstances of the colony they are entitled to. Differences were settled without that friction and bitterness of feeling which otherwise might have existed. The effect of the Act has been undoubtedly to make the public pay generally more for the products of an industry which has been regulated by the Board or Court, when the tariff is high enough or other conditions occur to prevent foreign competition. Judge Backhouse's report goes on to say that the New Zealand Arbitration Act has enabled employers for a time, at least, to know with certainty the conditions of production, and therefore to make contracts with the knowledge that they will be able to fulfil fchiem. ; Indirectly the law has tended to a more harmonious feeling among the people generally, which 'must have worked for the weal of the colony. A very, large majority of the employers of labour whom I have interviewed, continues Judge Backhouse, favour the principle of the Act. The awards generally have been in favour of the workers, therefore it is easy to understand that the Unionists to a man believe in the Act, and nonUnionists, as far as my observation goes, find no fault with it. Judge Backhouse -adds that while the effects of the Act so far are good the time has not yet come when it can be said with any certainty that the measure will provide a solution of all labour troubles. Since it came into operation in New Zealand everything has been in favour of an .increase in emoluments and an amelioration of the condition of labour, and there cannot be the slightest doubt that wages would have risen if there had been no Act. But when the lean years come, as come they must, when there will be curtailment instead of expansion, then, and not till then, can anyone speak with authority as to whether the principle involved is workable or not.